Participants:
Series Code: MAT
Program Code: MAT000021S
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00:01 Music...
00:19 Let's pray... 00:20 "Father in heaven, 00:23 we're nearing the end of this Series 00:25 and now we're going to study some practical applications 00:29 of the message of Matthew 24. 00:32 So, we ask for the presence of Your Holy Spirit 00:35 as we see what we should be doing 00:37 while we wait for the Lord's coming. 00:40 Thank You for the promise of Your presence 00:43 and we claim that promise. 00:45 In the precious and most holy name of Jesus, amen. " 00:49 Pause... 00:51 In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus presented the signs 00:55 that His coming is near 00:57 and then He gave two analogies 01:01 that would help us know when it was even at the doors. 01:05 Those two analogies are in Matthew chapter 24... 01:10 the parable of the fig tree 01:12 and the second is the story of the flood in Noah's day. 01:17 Then, after this, 01:19 at the very end of Matthew 24, 01:22 we find the parable of the faithful and unfaithful servant 01:27 and then in Matthew chapter 25, 01:30 we find three additional parables. 01:33 The parable of the 10 virgins... 01:36 the parable of the talents 01:38 and the parable of the sheep and the goats. 01:41 So, we are now going to study the parable that we find 01:45 at the end of Matthew 24 01:47 and in future presentations, we are going to take a look 01:51 at the parables that we find in chapter 25. 01:56 So, at the end of chapter 24, 01:59 we have the parable of faithful and unfaithful servants. 02:03 Matthew 25, we have the 10 virgins... 02:06 the talents and the sheep and the goats. 02:09 Now, in all of these parables we find two groups. 02:13 Those who are ready for the coming of Jesus 02:16 and those who will not be ready for His coming. 02:20 So, let's read the passage where we find the description 02:24 of faithful and unfaithful servants. 02:27 It's found in Matthew 24 verse 45 through verse 51. 02:33 And I read, pay close attention to the details. 02:37 On screen... 03:34 In this parable, Jesus is addressing 03:38 the leaders of the church. 03:40 Now, in order to understand the meaning of this parable, 03:44 we need to take a look at the symbols of the parable. 03:48 So, we are now going to consider the details of the parable. 03:52 The Master in the parable represents Jesus Christ. 03:56 The household represents the church. 04:03 The members of the household are the church members. 04:06 The rulership that is given to the stewards 04:12 represents the task of leadership. 04:14 The faithful and wise servant 04:17 represents the faithful leaders in the church. 04:22 The food that the leader is supposed to give 04:26 to the members of the church represents the Word of God. 04:30 Due season... giving food in due season represents 04:34 preaching present truth. 04:37 The evil servant represents the unfaithful leaders 04:41 of the church. 04:43 The fellow servants that the unfaithful servant beats up 04:48 and mistreats 04:50 represent his colleagues in ministry. 04:53 The beating of his fellow servants 04:56 represents the fact that this leader... 04:59 this unfaithful leader 05:00 considers himself better than his fellow servants. 05:04 The drunkards represent worldlings 05:07 who make no profession of religion. 05:11 And the wailing and gnashing of teeth 05:14 is what happens when the unfaithful leaders 05:17 realize that they are lost 05:21 and they will not be saved in Christ's kingdom. 05:24 Now, both the faithful and the wicked servant 05:28 claimed to work for the master. 05:31 We know this because 05:34 the evil servant served the master 05:37 and the Master is a symbol of Jesus Christ. 05:41 We also know that those individuals 05:46 who were both the faithful servant 05:50 and the unfaithful servant 05:52 were actually servants of Jesus 05:54 because the unfaithful servant is called a hypocrite. 05:58 And in the gospel of Matthew 06:01 every time that the word "hypocrite" is used, 06:05 it refers to individuals who claim to serve the Lord. 06:10 The word "hypocrite" is never used of an unbeliever 06:14 in the gospel of Matthew. 06:16 It's always used to speak of those 06:19 who claim to serve Jesus Christ 06:23 or claim to serve God. 06:25 The word "hypocrite" in Greek 06:28 means: an actor working under an assumed character. 06:33 That is to say the wicked servant 06:36 was pretending. 06:38 He was putting up a facade. 06:41 He was a phony... in other words. 06:44 He claimed to serve the master 06:47 but he really did not. 06:49 Just like the leaders in the church claimed to serve Jesus, 06:54 but many do not. 06:56 In Matthew 15 and verse 7, 06:59 Jesus referred to the Jewish leaders as hypocrites 07:03 because they honored Him with their lips 07:07 but their hearts were far away from Him. 07:10 In fact, in Matthew chapter 23, 07:13 the word "hypocrite" is used seven times 07:16 to describe the Scribes and the Pharisees 07:19 who claimed to be servants of God. 07:23 They were the ministers and the theologians of that time... 07:27 leaders of Israel. 07:29 The whole point of this parable 07:32 is that the close of probation and the second coming 07:36 will catch these unfaithful leaders by surprise. 07:40 Most people think that they can prepare for the coming of Jesus 07:44 until they see Him coming in the clouds 07:47 but that's not the case. 07:49 We must prepare for the close of probation. 07:53 because if we're not ready for the close of probation, 07:56 we will not be ready for the second coming of Christ. 08:00 So, this parable applies to insiders... 08:03 leaders of the church 08:05 that claim to be servants of Jesus. 08:10 Ellen White gave a profound interpretation 08:13 of this particular parable 08:15 and I want to read that statement... 08:18 it's rather long but it's very, very important 08:21 and it has very many important details. 08:23 We find in the book 5 Testimonies pages 101 and 102, 08:30 the following interpretation of this parable. 08:33 "That evil servant who said in his heart, 08:37 'My Lord delays His coming,' 08:40 professed to be waiting for Christ. 08:43 He was a 'servant,' 08:45 outwardly devoted to the service of God 08:50 while at heart he had yielded to Satan. 08:54 He does, like the scoffer, openly deny the truth... " 09:01 or rather, he does not like the scoffer, openly deny the truth, 09:05 "but reveals in his life the sentiment of the heart... 09:10 that the Lord's coming is delayed. 09:13 Presumption renders him careless 09:17 of eternal interests. 09:19 He accepts the world's maxims 09:22 and conforms to its customs and practices. 09:26 Selfishness, worldly pride, 09:29 and ambitions predominate. " 09:33 On screen... 10:12 the statement continues... 10:15 on screen... 11:02 And then, Ellen White referred to 11:06 our very own Seventh-day Adventist Church 11:09 with these words. 11:10 In the Review and Herald, March 14, 1878, 11:14 on screen... 11:50 "In seeking the things of this life, 11:53 they lose the future, eternal life, 11:56 the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 12:00 What can be said and done 12:02 to arouse this class of church members 12:05 to feel their accountability to God? 12:08 Must the mass of professed Christian commandment-keepers 12:12 hear the fearful words... " 12:14 and now, she's going to refer to the parable 12:17 that we're looking at at the end of Matthew chapter 24 12:21 once again, "Must the mass of professed commandment-keepers 12:26 hear the fearful words, 12:28 'Cast ye the unprofitable servant 12:32 into outer darkness; 12:34 there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. '" 12:39 The Apostle Peter gave us the qualifications 12:44 for a good leader. 12:45 We find in 1st Peter chapter 5 and verses 1 through 4... 12:50 speaking about the Elders 12:51 who are the leaders of the local churches, 12:54 on screen... 13:38 So, this is a very important parable 13:41 that is speaking about the leaders of the church. 13:45 Once again, I want to underline the meaning of the symbols. 13:50 The Master is Jesus... 13:52 the household is the church... 13:55 the household members are the members of the church... 14:00 the act of rulership means the task of leadership in the church 14:06 the faithful and wise servant 14:08 represents faithful leaders in the church... 14:11 the food that the faithful leaders are supposed to give 14:15 to the household or to the members 14:17 is the Word of God... 14:18 the due season to give that food 14:22 represents preaching present truth... 14:25 the evil servant represents unfaithful servants 14:29 or leaders in the church... 14:31 the fellow servants that the evil servant beats up 14:35 represents his colleagues in leadership. 14:39 The beating of his fellow servants 14:41 means that he considers himself better than his fellow servants 14:45 and he mistreats them. 14:47 The drunkards that the unfaithful servant 14:50 eventually goes to hang out with 14:52 represents worldlings 14:54 who make no profession of religion 14:57 and the wailing and gnashing of teeth 15:00 is the reaction of the unfaithful leaders 15:03 when they realize that probation has closed 15:06 and they are lost. 15:09 Now, let's go to the next parable 15:12 that we find in Matthew chapter 25... 15:15 actually it's not the very next one... 15:17 the next one is the parable of the ten virgins... 15:20 that will be our last study together 15:22 but we're going to go now to the parable of the talents. 15:25 It's found in Matthew 25 verses 14 through 30, 15:30 so, we're not going to go in the order of Matthew 25, 15:32 we're not going to deal with the ten virgins... 15:34 then the talents... 15:36 and then the sheep and goats... 15:37 we're going to deal first of all with the talents 15:39 then with the sheep and goats 15:41 and the last study... will be on the ten virgins. 15:44 Let's read the parable in Matthew 25 15:47 and verses 14 through 30. 15:50 It's a long parable 15:52 but please pay attention to the details. 15:55 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man 15:59 traveling to a far country, 16:02 who called his own servants... " 16:05 notice, his own servants 16:07 "and delivered his goods to them. 16:10 And to the one he gave five talents. 16:13 to another two, 16:15 and to another one, 16:16 to each according to his own ability; 16:20 and immediately he went on a journey. 16:23 Then he who had received the five talents 16:27 went and traded with them, 16:28 and made another five talents. 16:30 And likewise he who had received two 16:34 gained two more also. 16:37 On screen... 18:27 "So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, 18:32 and at my coming, 18:33 I would have received back my own with interest. 18:38 So take the talent from him, 18:40 and give it to him who has ten talents. 18:44 For to everyone who has... " 18:46 that is the original amount plus the interest... 18:49 "more will be given, 18:50 and he will have abundance; 18:53 but from him who does not have... " 18:55 that is... the original amount plus the interest, 18:58 "even what he has... " that is the one talent 19:01 "will be taken away. 19:03 And cast the unprofitable servant 19:05 into the outer darkness. 19:08 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. " 19:13 That's the parable. 19:14 So, let's see what the symbols of the parable represent. 19:19 In the parable we have the Lord. 19:23 The Lord is none other than Jesus Christ. 19:28 His servants are those who profess to be 19:32 followers of Jesus Christ. 19:34 His goods are the blessings that He has given 19:38 to those who have embraced Jesus. 19:41 He has given talents... time... 19:44 money... influence... 19:46 mental abilities... 19:48 speech... health... 19:50 et cetera... to minister to other people. 19:54 The far country is heaven. 19:58 The number of talents that is given to each 20:01 is according to their ability 20:03 to use the talents that they are receiving. 20:07 The accounting has to do with the judgment. 20:10 In other words, all will have to stand 20:12 before the judgment seat of Christ 20:14 to give an account for how we have used the blessings 20:17 that we have received. 20:19 The ruler over a few things... 20:22 "he who is faithful over a few things... " 20:24 represents the use of the talents 20:27 and gifts that we receive in this life. 20:29 Faithful in greater things 20:31 or ruler in greater things 20:34 represent greater responsibilities 20:36 that Jesus will give us in the kingdom 20:39 because we have been faithful in the small things. 20:42 The unfaithful steward 20:45 represents those who talk the talk 20:48 but they don't walk the walk. 20:50 The joy of the Lord 20:52 means sharing the joy of Jesus 20:55 as we see the salvation of souls. 20:58 And the "casting into outer darkness" 21:01 represents the final reward of the unfaithful. 21:06 Now, let's take a look at the details of this magnificent 21:12 parable that Jesus told. 21:15 The parable of the talents 21:17 applies to those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. 21:22 We know this for three reasons. 21:24 First, because Jesus spoke this parable to His own disciples. 21:30 Secondly, the parable tells us several times 21:36 that the servants were the Master's own servants. 21:41 In the third place, 21:43 as we noticed in the previous parable that we studied, 21:47 the expression "weeping and gnashing of teeth" 21:51 is used only in the gospel of Matthew 21:55 to refer to those who claim to be followers of God. 22:00 So, for these three reasons, 22:02 we know that this parable applies 22:04 to those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. 22:08 The servants of the parable all enter the service of Christ. 22:13 The word "own... own servants" 22:17 is emphatic in the Greek language. 22:21 In other words, Jesus could have said simply: 22:24 he called his servants 22:26 but the parable says... he called his own servants. 22:31 Ellen White wrote in Christ's Object Lessons page 326 22:36 "It is those who profess to have accepted Christ's service 22:41 who in the parable are represented 22:45 as His own servants. " 22:47 You notice that after these blessings 22:50 are given to the servants, 22:52 after the talents are given to the servants by the master, 22:55 the master leaves to go to a far country. 22:58 The master departs. 22:59 That means the ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven. 23:04 When Jesus went to heaven, 23:07 He gave His followers talents and gifts 23:10 to carry on His work 23:12 and reach out to others 23:14 so that they could be saved. 23:16 The goods that the Lord gave His servants 23:19 belong to the Lord. 23:21 They do not belong to the servants. 23:24 They are lent to the servants... 23:26 they do not belong to them. 23:28 They are not the property of the servants. 23:31 Now, what do the talents represent? 23:35 I want to read from Christ's Object Lessons page 327 23:39 where we find an explanation of what the talents 23:43 that the master gave his servants before he left are. 23:48 "The talents that Christ entrusts to His church 23:52 represent especially the gifts and blessings 23:57 imparted by the Holy Spirit. " 24:00 So, notice, the talents that Christ entrusts to His church 24:04 represent especially the gifts and blessings 24:08 imparted by the Holy Spirit. " 24:10 The Apostle Paul explained what these gifts are. 24:14 In Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 8, 24:18 Paul speaks about the ascension of Christ 24:21 and what He gave His followers when He ascended to heaven. 24:25 It says in Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 8, 24:28 "When He... " that is Jesus... 24:30 "ascended on high, 24:32 He led captivity captive... " 24:34 that is talking about those who resurrected with Christ... 24:38 He took them to heaven as the firstfruits... 24:40 so, it says, "He led captivity captive, 24:43 and gave gifts to men. " 24:45 What are those gifts? 24:48 Well, Paul... in 1st Corinthians 12 24:50 verses 8 through 11 and verses 27 and 28, 24:54 Ephesians 4:11 to 13... 24:57 Romans 12 verses 6 through 8 25:00 gives a list of the gifts or talents 25:02 that Jesus gave His followers when he went to heaven. 25:05 Those are: apostles, prophets, evangelists, 25:09 pastors... teachers... 25:10 word of wisdom... word of knowledge... 25:12 faith... gifts of healings... 25:14 working of miracles... 25:16 discerning the spirits... 25:17 different kinds of tongues... interpretation of tongues... 25:20 healings... helps... administrations... 25:23 ministry... exhortation... 25:25 liberality... leadership... 25:27 and mercy. 25:28 Jesus did not give these talents or gifts 25:32 for self-improvement. 25:35 The gifts that He gave are functional... 25:39 they have a purpose. 25:40 The purpose is that these gifts... 25:43 these blessings... these talents 25:46 are to be used for reaching souls 25:49 to bring them to the feet of Jesus Christ. 25:52 All gifts have the function of reaching others for Jesus. 25:58 In Christ's Object Lessons, page 328, 26:02 we find that the talents have even a broader meaning. 26:06 Ellen White wrote, 26:08 on screen... 26:41 Now notice this... 26:43 "These gifts He returns to us purified and ennobled, 26:49 to be used for His glory in blessing our fellow men. " 26:56 Our talents... time... strength... money... 27:02 influence... speech and all other endowments 27:08 are of no avail 27:09 unless they are sanctified by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 27:14 A worldly person may have abilities and gifts 27:20 and use them for their own self-interest 27:24 and for their own glory. 27:25 However, when the receiver of these gifts 27:28 surrenders them to Jesus, 27:31 they now become a blessing to others. 27:35 A singer may have a beautiful voice 27:39 that impresses people and brings about great applause 27:43 but a singer might use this gift of song 27:48 for his own self-glorification or for financial gain. 27:53 However, when that person surrenders this gift to Jesus, 27:58 then the Holy Spirit sanctifies the gift 28:02 and it's used for the salvation of souls. 28:05 This is what Ellen White meant when she said, 28:09 "In becoming His disciples, 28:10 we surrender ourselves to Him with all that we already have" 28:15 and then she continues, "These gifts... He returns to us 28:19 purified... so we give them to Him... 28:22 He returns them to us... purified and ennobled 28:26 to be used for His glory in blessing our fellowmen. " 28:31 Now, you notice in the parable 28:34 that the Lord gives the talents 28:36 according to the person's ability 28:39 to use those gifts and talents. 28:41 If God gave a person a gift 28:46 that that person is not qualified to use, 28:50 it would go to waste. 28:51 It would be unfair for God to expect more 28:56 where He gave less. 28:57 Not everyone has the same degree of ability. 29:01 Some people have less talents than others 29:04 due partially to inherited and cultivated tendencies. 29:10 It would not be wise to put a Porsche engine 29:15 in a Volkswagen Beetle. 29:17 However, you would expect a Volkswagen 29:19 to function as a Volkswagen 29:21 and a Porsche to function as a Porsche. 29:25 It's interesting in an unusual twist in this parable. 29:29 the person who received the least talent 29:33 was the one who was unfaithful 29:36 not the one who received the greatest number of talents. 29:40 You know, sometimes we think 29:42 that the rich are in the greatest danger 29:45 of not using the gifts that God gave them 29:49 for blessing others. 29:50 But, many times, people say, "Well, you know, 29:54 I don't have much talent, 29:56 I don't know how to talk... 29:57 you know, I don't know how to minister to others... " 30:01 and they give excuses 30:03 and they don't use the gift that God has given them 30:06 the one gift that they can multiply 30:09 for His glory. 30:11 In this parable, Jesus sought to teach 30:14 that faithfulness in small things in this life 30:18 prepares us for greater responsibilities 30:21 and a greater service in the life to come. 30:24 In Luke chapter 16 verse 10, Jesus expressed it this way, 30:28 "He that is faithful in that which is least 30:32 is faithful also in much: 30:34 and he that is unjust in the least 30:38 is unjust also in much. " 30:41 In Christ's Object Lessons, page 329, Ellen White wrote, 30:46 on screen. 31:07 So, we either use it or we lose it. 31:12 God expects more from those who have received more. 31:16 He expects less from those who have received less. 31:20 God will expect more from Seventh-day Adventists 31:23 than He expects from those 31:25 who have not received all of the light 31:27 because the amount of blessings and talents and gifts 31:32 that God gives us 31:34 will determine whether... and the use of those... 31:37 will determine whether we were faithful or not. 31:41 Now, you notice that the servant who received the one talent 31:46 actually looked at God as a taskmaster or a dictator 31:52 who was taking advantage of His subjects. 31:56 The servant's assessment might have been true 31:59 if, you know, the resources were his in the first place. 32:05 But the resources were not his. 32:08 The resources were his master's. 32:11 The master sowed by giving his servant the one talent 32:16 and, therefore, he expected to reap what he sowed. 32:21 He had every right to demand a return on what was his. 32:27 You know, the unfaithful servant was prevaricating 32:32 when he complained that the Lord wanted to reap 32:36 where he had not sown. 32:38 The fact is that the owner actually was the one who sowed 32:43 because he gave his resources to the man who had one talent 32:48 and he had a right to expect a return on the master's money. 32:52 So, the master said to him, 32:54 "You should have returned my money with interest. 32:58 Now, you'll notice that there was a long delay 33:02 between the Lord's departure 33:04 and reckoning day. 33:06 That represents the period between the ascension of Christ 33:10 and the Investigative Judgment. 33:13 What are we supposed to be doing in that interim 33:17 between when Jesus left and when He comes again? 33:21 In Christ's Object Lessons, page 325 33:25 we find these words. 33:28 "The time is to be spent, 33:30 not in idle waiting, but... " what? 33:36 "but in diligent working. " 33:39 That is... developing the gifts and talents 33:41 that we have received. 33:43 In the parable of the pounds 33:45 which is very similar to this parable, 33:48 in Luke chapter 19 verse 13, 33:51 Jesus told His servants, "Occupy until I come. " 33:56 That word "occupy" appears only once in the New Testament. 34:00 It's the word "pragmateuomai" 34:03 and basically, it means, according to the lexicons... 34:06 concerned with actual practice 34:10 not with theory or speculation. 34:14 The settling of accounts in the parable 34:17 is the pre-Advent Investigative Judgment. 34:20 When our names appear in the judgment, 34:24 we must render account for how we have used 34:27 the talents... the gifts and the blessings 34:31 that we have received. 34:33 The Apostle Paul wrote 34:34 in 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 and verse 10, 34:37 on screen... 34:51 In Luke chapter 12 and verse 48, 34:54 Jesus also said the following words, 34:57 on screen... 35:11 In the judgment, for example, 35:14 Jesus will not expect as much from Martin Luther 35:18 as He does from a Seventh-day Adventist. 35:22 Luther never kept the Sabbath. 35:24 He did not practice health reform, 35:27 he believed that the dead aren't dead... 35:29 but he used and multiplied all of the resources 35:33 that God gave him to the utmost. 35:35 God does not hold us accountable for what we don't know. 35:39 He holds us accountable for what we know 35:41 and whether we use what we know for His glory. 35:45 Luther wrote... preached... taught... 35:48 debated with all knowledge and zeal and energy 35:52 that God gave him. 35:54 In other words, he used his talents to the max. 35:57 Why did the Lord give the talent of... the one talent 36:03 of the individual who buried it to the one who had ten talents? 36:08 Why did he do that? 36:10 Well, because we invest our money 36:13 where it pays the greatest dividends. 36:16 Let me ask you this, 36:17 if you owned a corporation 36:20 where a worker multiplied your assets 36:25 twice as much as another, 36:27 would you invest your money with the one 36:30 that makes twice as much with what he has been given? 36:33 Of course. 36:34 The one who had five multiplied it to ten. 36:38 The one who had two multiplied it to four 36:41 but you know the difference between ten and four 36:44 is a big difference 36:45 and so, we find that the Lord gave the talent 36:49 to the one who made the most 36:51 with what he had been given. 36:53 The expression "To everyone who has... more will be given" 36:58 means that whoever has the original amount of money 37:02 plus the interest will receive more. 37:05 Simply having what the owner gave originally 37:08 does not guarantee receiving more. 37:11 The man who had one talent 37:14 returned the same amount to the owner. 37:17 Therefore, he did not receive more. 37:19 The one who did not have is the one who did not multiply 37:24 what the Lord gave him. 37:26 Now, what is the meaning of the expression: 37:29 Enter into the joy of your Lord. 37:32 Isaiah 53 describes the suffering servant 37:37 who bore the sins of the world. 37:39 that is Jesus Christ. 37:41 After His grueling experience, the text tells us 37:46 that the suffering servant would see the travail of his soul 37:51 and he would be satisfied. 37:53 Let's read those verses, Isaiah 53 and verses 10 and 11. 37:58 "Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him... " 38:02 that is... the Father bruised Christ 38:05 because He was bearing the sins of the world. 38:08 "Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; 38:10 He hath put Him to grief: 38:13 when thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, 38:17 He shall see His seed, 38:20 He shall prolong His days, 38:23 and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. 38:27 He shall see of the travail of His soul, 38:32 and be satisfied: 38:34 by His knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; 38:38 for He shall bear their iniquities. " 38:41 So, notice, He shall see His seed... 38:44 and then, verse 11 says, 38:45 "He shall see the travail of His soul, 38:48 and shall be satisfied. " 38:50 What does that mean? 38:52 Ellen White explained 38:53 in Review and Herald, May 29, 1900... 38:56 in a beautiful way. 38:58 On screen... 39:38 I like the way in which this expression: 39:41 Enter into the joy of your Lord... 39:43 is given in the NIV and the New Century Version. 39:47 In the NIV it says, 39:50 "Come and share your master's happiness... " 39:54 and in the New Century Version it says, 39:56 "Come and share my joy with me... " 39:59 and what is the joy? 40:01 The joy is seeing all of the saved in the kingdom 40:05 because talents have been used to reach them 40:08 for Jesus Christ. 40:10 After describing the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, 40:15 the Apostle Paul described 40:17 the joy that the Father set before Jesus 40:20 when Jesus came to suffer and die for our sins. 40:24 Hebrews chapter 12 verses 1 through 3 reads, 40:27 "Therefore we also, 40:29 since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 40:34 let us lay aside every weight, 40:36 and the sin which so easily ensnares us, 40:40 and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 40:45 looking unto Jesus, 40:47 the author and finisher of our faith... " 40:51 and now notice... 40:52 "who for the joy that was set before Him 40:55 endured the cross, 40:57 despising the shame, 40:59 and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. " 41:03 The Father set before Jesus 41:05 something that would bring joy to His heart... 41:09 the joy that was set before Him... 41:11 He endured the cross because of that joy. 41:14 What was that joy that was set before Jesus? 41:17 We find this comment in the devotional book: 41:20 That I May Know Him... page 368. 41:24 On screen... 41:51 So entering into the joy of the Lord 41:54 is to share His joy as we see 41:57 how the kingdom is filled 42:00 with those who have been saved by Jesus. 42:03 Do you know that even the Father is going to sing on that day? 42:06 Notice Zephaniah chapter 3 and verse 17, 42:10 it says there, 42:12 on screen... 42:28 Imagine hearing the voice of God singing 42:31 because of all of the redeemed that are in the kingdom. 42:34 That is going to be some day! 42:37 Ellen White commented in Desire of Ages, page 523, 42:42 On screen... 43:26 So Folks, when we use our gifts and our talents 43:30 and the blessings that God has given us 43:33 to bless others to reach them for Jesus, 43:36 we are entering into the joy of Jesus 43:39 and when we get to the kingdom, 43:41 we will express that fullness of joy 43:43 as Jesus looks at the travail of His soul and is satisfied, 43:47 we will share that ecstatic experience with Jesus. 43:51 We cannot expect to reign with Jesus, however, 43:56 in the coming kingdom 43:57 unless we have been faithful in the use of His blessings 44:02 and gifts and talents on this earth. 44:05 If we had been unfaithful here, we would be unfaithful there. 44:11 You know, Daniel and his three friends 44:13 are an illustration of the principle 44:16 that Jesus wanted to teach in this parable. 44:18 The Hebrew worthies were faithful in the matter of diet. 44:23 They decided that they would only eat and drink 44:26 what was allowed by Scripture. 44:27 Therefore, Nebuchadnezzar placed them over much greater 44:33 responsibilities in the kingdom. 44:35 You see, when we're faithful in the small things, 44:38 God knows that He can trust us to be faithful 44:41 in the heavier responsibilities. 44:44 Now, let's talk about the wailing and gnashing of teeth. 44:49 The judgment against the unfaithful servant 44:53 who buried his talent was very, very drastic. 44:57 According to Matthew 25 and verse 30, 45:01 his masters threw him into outer darkness 45:04 where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 45:09 The text does not say: eternal wailing and gnashing of teeth 45:13 because some people take this to mean 45:15 that those who are represented by the man who buried his talent 45:19 are going to... they'll wail and weep 45:22 throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. 45:25 No, there will be weeping 45:26 when the unfaithful servants realize 45:29 that they have not been faithful 45:31 in reaching souls with the gifts that God has given them, 45:35 but it will not be eternal weeping and gnashing of teeth. 45:39 Jesus always used this expression, 45:42 "Weeping and gnashing of teeth" 45:45 to refer to the unfaithful Jewish nation 45:49 that received multiple blessings and gifts from God 45:53 but used them for themselves 45:56 instead of using them to bless others. 46:00 Let me give you an example 46:02 of another place where the expression: 46:04 "Weeping and gnashing of teeth" is used. 46:07 It's used in Matthew chapter 8 in the story 46:10 of the Roman Centurion. 46:13 Of course, the Centurion was not a Jew... 46:16 he was a Roman. 46:18 After Jesus healed the Centurion's servant, 46:23 Jesus gave an ironic twist to this story. 46:28 You see, the Jews thought that those pagan Romans 46:33 were going to end up 46:35 where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth, 46:37 whereas, those who were faithful Jews 46:40 they would end up in the kingdom... 46:43 in the bosom of Abraham. 46:44 But lo and behold, when this story concludes, 46:48 Jesus says, "No, no, no, no, no... 46:50 the unfaithful who did not use their gifts 46:54 to bless humanity... 46:56 they end up where there's weeping and gnashing of teeth 46:59 and the Centurion ends up in the kingdom. " 47:02 You say, "How is that?" 47:04 Well, Jesus... if you read there the story 47:08 in Matthew chapter 8 47:09 after He healed the Centurion's servant, 47:13 Jesus said, "Many will come from the north and the east 47:18 and they will sit at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob 47:22 but the sons of the kingdom will be cast into outer darkness. 47:27 There is weeping and the gnashing of teeth. " 47:30 So, who is it that is cast out 47:33 to where there is weeping and the gnashing of teeth? 47:35 It is not the Centurion... 47:37 the Centurion will sit with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob 47:42 in the kingdom 47:43 whereas the sons of the kingdom... 47:45 those who profess to serve Jesus, 47:47 but use their gifts and their talents and their blessings 47:50 only for their own self-glorification 47:54 and not for the their fellow human beings, 47:56 will end up where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth 48:00 in outer darkness. 48:02 Now, I don't know whether you've noticed this or not... 48:07 it is true that we are saved by grace through faith. 48:11 There's no doubt whatsoever that we are not saved 48:16 by our good works 48:17 and yet these parables tell us 48:20 that our behavior has something to do with our eternal destiny. 48:26 If we are unfaithful servants, 48:29 even though we might claim to serve Jesus, 48:31 we will end up on the wrong side. 48:34 If we are five foolish virgins 48:36 that claim to be followers of Jesus, 48:40 they're still lighting the way to the wedding chamber, 48:43 they claim to be disciples and yet they're not... 48:48 they're not letting their lamps shine 48:51 because the light of the lamps goes out 48:54 because they don't have an abundance of the oil 48:57 which represents the Holy Spirit. 48:58 They end up outside the wedding chamber 49:02 and they knock and Jesus says from inside, 49:05 "I don't know you. " 49:06 In the parable of the talents, you have the same idea 49:10 as well as in the parable of the sheep and the goats. 49:15 Those who are called "goats" in Matthew chapter 25... 49:21 they did not use their gifts and talents 49:23 to bless those who have received less blessings 49:27 and so, you'll notice that we are saved by grace 49:31 through faith 49:33 but it is a faith that works 49:36 because a faith that does not work 49:38 is not real faith. 49:40 It's a facade. 49:41 A faith that works is a genuine faith. 49:45 These parables are not teaching that we will be saved 49:51 because we are multiplying our talents... 49:54 because we are giving our food to the needy... 49:57 because we are letting our lamps shine 49:59 and because we are faithful servants. 50:02 We are not saved by all those things, 50:04 but when we are saved... 50:06 when we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, 50:10 These things will flow naturally 50:13 and if they don't, 50:15 it's because we don't have a relationship with Christ. 50:18 We have not been justified 50:20 unless Jesus is able to sanctify us as well. 50:24 You know, you have the same lesson being taught 50:28 in James chapter 2 where James tells us 50:32 that faith without works is dead 50:35 and a dead faith will never save us. 50:39 A work-less faith is a counterfeit faith. 50:43 A dead faith cannot bear fruit. 50:47 So, does the way that we use our talents 50:52 determine our eternal destiny? 50:54 In a certain sense... yes. 50:56 Does neglecting to bless those who are in need 51:00 determine our eternal destiny? 51:02 Yes. 51:03 Does our tendency to not have the Holy Spirit in our life 51:09 so we can light the way to the wedding chamber 51:12 determine our eternal destiny? 51:14 Does our faithfulness as servants of Jesus 51:18 determine our eternal destiny? 51:20 Yes... but as a result of salvation 51:24 not as a cause of salvation. 51:26 We need to make sure we don't put the cart before the horse. 51:30 The horse is salvation by grace through faith 51:34 but when the horse moves, 51:37 the cart follows. 51:39 So, when you have faith... works follow. 51:43 So, the parables are teaching us that our behavior 51:47 does determine our eternal destiny 51:50 because it reveals if we are truly linked with Jesus Christ 51:54 as our Savior and as our Lord. 51:57 I want to bring this to an end by reading a statement 52:03 that we find in Review and Herald, 52:04 March 14, 1878 52:09 and I think I read a portion of this previously 52:14 in this very lecture. 52:15 Ellen White is writing about Seventh-day Adventist Churches 52:21 in her day. 52:23 Sometimes, I wonder if she was alive today, 52:25 what she would write about 52:27 our Seventh-day Adventist Church today. 52:30 Because we have fallen into lethargy... 52:33 we have fallen into complacency... 52:36 very few actually dedicate their talents and their gifts 52:40 to reach out to a hurting humanity... 52:43 to bless them... 52:44 to bring them to the feet of Jesus 52:46 so that they can be saved in the kingdom. 52:48 Ellen White wrote, 52:50 "Look into our churches. 52:54 There are only a few real workers in them. 52:59 The majority are irresponsible men and women. 53:05 They feel no burden for souls. " 53:10 You know it's been said 53:13 that 20 percent of the people in church 53:15 do 80 percent of the work 53:16 and I believe that that's true 53:19 except the 20 percent must be less... 53:23 not 20 percent but some churches... 10 percent 53:26 or even less than that. 53:28 She continues, 53:30 "They manifest no hungering and thirsting for righteousness. 53:37 They never lift when the work goes hard. 53:42 These are the ones who have but one talent, 53:45 and hide that one in a napkin, 53:49 and bury it in the world; 53:51 that is, they use all the influence they have 53:55 in their temporal matters. 53:58 In seeking the things of this life, 54:03 they lose the future, eternal life, 54:05 the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 54:09 What can be said and done to arouse this class 54:13 of church members 54:14 to feel their accountability to God? 54:17 Must the mass of professed Christian commandment-keepers 54:21 hear the fearful words, 54:24 'Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; 54:30 there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. '" 54:34 This is a solemn statement, Folks. 54:37 So, basically in these parables that we find 54:41 after Jesus presents the signs of the second coming 54:45 and the story of the flood 54:47 and the story of the fig tree 54:49 showing when His coming was going to be near. 54:52 Jesus tells these parables 54:55 and He tells us that our eternal destiny 54:58 does have something to do with our behavior 55:02 with the use of the blessings that God has given us. 55:07 So, Folks, what do we need to do in this time of human history? 55:14 Particularly in this time when the world is in turmoil. 55:18 People are looking for explanations 55:20 to what is happening in the world. 55:23 Society is in an upheaval. 55:26 Natural disasters... so-called "natural disasters" 55:30 are occurring everywhere. 55:32 The beginning of sorrows is right before us. 55:36 I think I've said that it's the 55:38 beginning of the beginning of sorrows that is right before us. 55:41 People's hearts are failing them for fear 55:45 as they see the things that are occurring in the world 55:48 and the Seventh-day Adventist Church 55:50 has the message that can bring peace 55:53 and tranquility to their lives 55:55 because we know exactly what is happening. 55:58 It's been predicted. 55:59 We know where things are leading 56:02 and we know what we need to do 56:04 in order to reach people 56:06 so that they can experience peace 56:08 in this time of turmoil... 56:10 real lasting peace not temporary peace 56:13 and so, as Seventh-day Adventists, 56:17 we have to do what Jesus told us that we're supposed to do. 56:22 We're supposed to watch such as never before... 56:26 be awake... be alert. 56:28 We're supposed to pray without ceasing 56:31 and without giving up. 56:33 We are supposed to occupy in using our gifts and talents 56:38 to reach those who are in dire need 56:40 so that we can experience the joy of our Lord. 56:44 We need to be ready for the coming of Jesus. 56:47 We need to be doing what Jesus told us to do 56:51 at the end of Matthew 24 56:53 and the three parables that we find in chapter 25. 56:58 I trust that all of us who are watching this Presentation 57:05 will come to the Lord in prayer 57:08 and ask Him what our duty is 57:11 in this time of turmoil in Society in the United States 57:16 as well as in the world 57:18 that the Lord through His Spirit will impress our hearts 57:22 to wake up... to become active... 57:25 to go out... to share the love of Jesus... 57:28 to share His message for this time 57:30 so that multiple souls can come into the kingdom 57:35 and be saved 57:36 and when we arrive in heaven, 57:38 as we're there with Jesus... 57:40 we'll be able to hear the words, 57:43 "Well done thou good and faithful servant... " 57:46 and that we might be able to share 57:48 in the joy of our Lord 57:51 in seeing multitudes of people 57:54 saved in the kingdom of heaven. 57:57 What a joy that will be. 57:59 It is my prayer that this will be our experience 58:03 as we wait for Jesus to come. |
Revised 2021-10-28